Sooner Wrestlers Compete in All-Star Classic

NORMAN, Okla. -- Three Sooner wrestlers competed in the 40th annual NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corps. The event took place inside Oklahoma State’s Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., on Monday night. Representing the Sooners were Sam Hazewinkel, Teyon Ware and Joel Flaggert.

"Sam was outstanding tonight in the way he dominated someone of the caliber of Nick Simmons," said head coach Jack Spates.

No. 3 ranked Hazewinkel at 125 pounds defeated No. 4 ranked Nick Simmons of Michigan State, 6-2, in the opening match of the night. Hazewinkel defeated Simmons last year at the All-Star Classic by a score of 2-0. Hazewinkel claimed the match by scoring two takedowns and two escapes.

"This was a good way to start out the year defeating a ranked opponent," said Hazewinkel. "I need to keep it going and build off of this win."

No. 1 ranked Ware, wrestling at 141 pounds, was defeated by No. 2 ranked Nate Gallick of Iowa State, 3-1 in a rematch of last season's 141 pound NCAA Title match, which Ware won 3-2. Tonight Gallick scored on an early takedown at the end of the first period and Ware was only able to score an escape in the second period, which was followed by a Gallick escape to finish the match.

Flaggert, ranked No. 2 at 197 pounds, was defeated by No. 1 ranked Jake Rosholt of Oklahoma State, 8-3. Rosholt scored on an early takedown and later on a reversal and Flaggert was never able to overcome the defecit.

"This is a great experience and a great event for our guys to compete in and it's only going to help us down the road," continued Spates. "Teyon and Joel will learn a lot from this experience and be better for it."

The Sooners will be hosting the 35th annual Oklahoma Open on Thanksgiving weekend.

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